Frederick Patrick (Fred) Johnston

Sincere condolences on the loss of Fred. While we hadn’t met in years we often communicated over email. I always remember the grown up cousin who patiently dealt with the regular Sunday morning invasion of all his young cousins, when he lived in Ballybough with our aunt during his early years in Dublin. He always made time to speak with me about whatever book I brought with me that week. May he rest un peace

Sincere condolences on the passing of Fred. I met him at a poetry reading. He made a great impression on me when hosting the event with his warmth and charisma. Go mbeannaí sé faoi shíocháin.

Rest well Fred.. you definitely left your mark on the city of Galway. And a good mark it was too. Cúirt festival will live on and people should always remember and be aware of your part in starting it,all those years ago. So many people have benefited from that seed that you set and will remain to do so for years to come. You also published me in a college magazine many decades ago which was a great boost of confidence to me at the time.

Beannacht ort Fred

Our sympathies to Fred and all his family. A great friend of Clifden Arts. He will be missed.

Very sorry to hear of Fred's passing. Memories of lively discussions in the early 80's.
A sad loss.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I enjoyed a few lunches (my treat) at a Galway Spanish-Italian restaurant with Fred. He was an erudite conversationalist and could be frank in his comments on clique attitudes that annoyed him. He was a man of the world. Perhaps France and French culture were his passion. He wrote stories in English and French and had them published side by side. The Spectator and the New Statesman published his poetry - a sure gauge of recognition. My sympathies to all who were close to him. Puisses-tu être parmi les anges, Fred

Our Deepest sympathy to u Mary and family on the sad passing of ur beloved Fred. Thinking of u all at this sad time .may Fred rest in peace

Rip Fred condolences to Mary and Family thinking of you at this hard time

I am in a state of shock to hear of Fred’s sudden death.
What a gifted man! Poet, Musician, Journalist, Activist…
I have fond memories of meeting Fred for lunch in Galway every summer. I always treasured those happy meetings.
My sincere sympathy to Mary, April And Sylvia & the Johnston and Hodgins Family.

I wish peace and blessings of God for Fred's family. I did a course with Fred when I was a student. I remember a phrase he said which I use to this day," Life gets in the way!". It was when I could not come to the course because I had an exam on. I think he influenced people in a small way that accumulated critical mass. He was understated but had a huge impact. He seems to have been a good organiser to spread writing. I value him. I hope his efforts are not lost.

My sincere condolences to Mary and family on Fred's passing. He was a visionary and a generous supporter of others in things literary.

Go solas síoraí air.

Condolences to Fred’s family and friends. The word which springs to mind when Fred comes to mind is integrity. He called it as he saw it and walked it like he talked it. His trenchant eye and relentlessly honest voice will be much missed in a mealy mouthed world.

So so sorry to hear about Fred's death - deepest sympathies to his family.

Deepest Condolence Mary and extended family, on the sudden death of Fred may his gentle soul rest in peace.

Dear Mary ,April ,Sylvia and extended family. Deeply sorry to hear of Fred’s untimely passing R.I.P.
He was a regular erudite sympathetic and often passionate contributor to Liveline. His most recent was his eyewitness account of the Dublin bombings in 1974. He was a great writer but on radio he had a way of constructing vivid images. He spoke of the pair of ladies black boots standing empty on South Leinster Street after the car bomb went off , marking the spot where the young woman had been so cruelly taken. May a great man , Fred Johnston rest in peace.

Joe Duffy RTÉ Liveline

So sad to hear of Fred’s passing. A wonderful poet and teacher. He will be missed.

Deepest sympathy to Mary, Sylvia and April, Johnston family on the loss of Fred. May he rest in peace

Deepest sympathy to Mary, April and Sylvia, Johnston and Hodgins family on the loss of Fred. He was a lodger in our family home back in the early 1970s when he worked as a local journalist & became a life long family friend thereafter. May Fred Rest in Peace.

Deepest sympathy to Fred's, family and friends ,
Galway' s loss.
May he rest in peace.

So sorry to hear of Fred's passing, may his soul Rest in Peace🙏

Sincere Condolences Mary Ellen and family on the sudden loss of Fred. May he Rest in Peace.

I am so sorry for your sad loss of Fred. He played guitar occasionally with myself and Gaie Stewart, usually in Kinvara. We both valued his sensitive accompaniment, and especially his fearless willingness to broach the complex tunes of Paddy Fahey on the fly! We will miss him! God Bless.

Puisses-tu reposer en paix

So sorry to hear of your passing Fred. A true blue. May you write poetry in Heaven.

My deepest sympathy Mary & family on the very sad loss of Fred. It's hard to believe he’s gone from us. He was a very fine poet, immensely creative, and a true humanitarian. He will be sorely missed, but his words will live on.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal.

My condolences to Fred's family and friends. Fred was a good poet and a man of integrity. Met him first in the 70's. Very sorry to learn of his death.

Deepest sympathy to Fred's family and friends. I will miss chatting with you. You lit an eternal flame 🔥for poetry in Galway as a founder of Cuirt in 1986. May your poetic soul Rest in Peace✨️

Deepest sympathies to all of his family, friends, and loved ones. Fred was a true original. May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathies to Mary & family on their very sad loss. It's hard to believe Fred's gone. He was a very fine poet, musician & a man of deeply held convictions. His contribution to the life of Galway has been immense. He will be sorely missed.
Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal.

"Poetry begins in music." That was one of the first things Fred Johnston said to me when I did his online poetry course back in 2012. He was passionate in his belief that poetry is a craft which, like any other craft, takes time to learn.
Condolences to his family and friends.

Deepest Sympathy to Mary, April Sylvia the Johston & Hodgins families on the sad passing of Fred May He Rest In Peace

To Fred's family and friends.
Deepest sympathy on the unexpected death of Fred. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Always a gentleman sometimes when he came into the office he was very profound and sometimes full of the joys of spring, he left you thinking.

Very sorry to hear of Fred's passing. Condolences to family and friends. RIP Fred.

Sincere condolences to Mary and Fred's extended family from all at Scéal Eile Books in Ennis. He was a true book man will be sadly missed. Rest in peace Fred.

So sorry to hear of Fred's passing, a huge loss to Galway.

shocked and saddened to hear just now that wonderful poet and social activist Fred Johnston died suddenly and unexpectedly in Galway. Beaver Row Press published an excellent early collection of his poetry, A Scarce Light, in 1985. We stayed in touch on and off since then on poetry and the social injustices we both hated. Never occurred to me that he could just suddenly not be there anymore. He and his many contributions to cultural life will be greatly missed. Condolences to his close family and friends. Let us be grateful that he has been.

Codladh sámh, Fred. You were true to your own self: I admired that so much. With gratitude for those early classes & the poetry chats.
My best to you, Mary Ellen, during these sad days.

I met Fred when he first came to Galway and over the years since we may have seen things differently at times but I never doubted his integrity or his courage. My condolences to his extended family and his friends and comrades. RIP.

May perpetual light shine on Fred forever and may he rest in peace

Sorry to hear the sad news. Condolences to all of Fred's family. Beannacht Dé lena anam uasal.

Sincere condolences to Mary and all the extended families on the sudden passing of Fred

I still find it hard to believe you have passed a great friend author and poet. Sad times ahead

We live in Canada now and arrived back in Ireland on Tuesday. We planned to see Fred for a meal next week. Our friendship with him spans more than 35 years. Seeing him on our trips back to Ireland was always a highlight. We are devastated by the news of his passing and send our warmest condolences to Mary. What a beloved friend.

We'll miss you Fred, your poems, your complaints, your much needed proddings and needlings to the poetry scene, you were the antithesis of the luvvie poet, much undervalued and shamefully overlooked by the powers that be. You were a great supporter of and contributor to our magazine, one of the very few big names (and you truly deserved to be an even bigger name) to engage, praise, and encourage. Your untiring support for the people of Palestine was an inspiration to all who care for justice. There are very few Irish poets that we will sincerely miss on a personal level, but we will miss you, Fred.
Rest in peace comrade.

With sincere condolences to Mary Ellen and all Fred's family and friends.

Mary & family, my deepest condolences to you all on the loss of your beloved Fred. R.I.P x

Suaimhneas síoraí do Fred-file uasal.
Deepest sympathy.

Sad to learn Fred Johnston has passed away. I first saw Fred's many letters to the editor's in 1970s newspapers. They always made interesting reading. Later I had the honour of hosting poetry readings by Fred in central Dublin. He was a serious committed poet. Unlike many guests we had Fred giving each contributor a serious listen. I really respected that as it was a rare quality. Farewell Fred. Sleep softly.
From all the Carey family in Taunton, Somerset, England.

Fond memories of Fred reading poems like, The Boar Hunt and Lord Franklin at the writers workshop across from the college in the women’s club in the early 80’s . His dog asleep under the table . Sympathy to Mary Ellen and extended families on their sad loss.

I am shocked and saddened by Fred's sudden departure. I knew him as a poet, and what a wonderful poet. My heartfelt condolences to Mary and all of Fred's family and friends.

Fred, you were such a good friend to me when I was ill, so many years ago now. We first became friends on the streets as Fred, always the gentleman would tip his hat or salute hello as he passed this bolshie paper-seller behind a revolutionary barricade. Then we became work-mates, and fellow anti-war activists, and had sing-song get togethers in friendly houses. He never stopped supporting the cause Free Palestine!
Condolences to his loved ones.
I miss you Fred x

My sincere condolences Mary on your sad loss of your beloved Fred. May his spirit rest in peace in your heart to comfort you in the days ahead! He was much loved by my brother John Hogan and I’m envisioning them having a catchup in another dimension!
Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís!

Sad to hear of the passing of Fred. Condolences to all his family. Fred was a fearless champion of justice and his writings will live on.

I'm so sorry Mary to hear of the sad passing of Fred.Deepest sympathises,thinking of you during this difficult time xx

Dear Mary Ellen. Words cant convey how sad I am to hear of Fred's passing. What a wonderful talented man he was and a lovely neighbour too.
My deepest sympathy to you and your girls and to Fred's family.
We will remember him with love.
May he rest easy.

Sincere sympathy to the family of Fred,so sorry for your loss.

A sad day for Galway. Fred was the fire behind many cultural initiatives that are now flourishing in Galway City. He was also an activist and someone who inspired me politically for 15 years.

Take care Fred, you put the fire in the belly of many artists and activists across the west of Ireland.

We're very sorry about Fred, and our sympathy goes to Mary and those closest to him. RIP

will miss him another character gone and a good poet